... While Jove's planet rises yonder silent over Africa_.

--BROWNING.

[Illustration: A BIT OF GENOA]

"Betty!" called Barbara.

"What, dear?" answered a weak voice from the berth below.

"Do you know how much more quiet the water is? and, Betty, I think Mrs.
Douglas looked really disappointed when she saw us still immovable in
our berths."

It was the third morning at sea. The fresh wind of the first afternoon
had blown a gale before morning. A storm followed, and for two days the
larger part of the passengers had been absent from saloon and deck.

Among these were Barbara, Bettina, and Margery. Mrs. Douglas and Malcom
had done their best to keep up the spirits of their little party, but
had found it difficult. Now for the third time they had gone to
breakfast alone.

Barbara was thinking hard; and, as she thought, her courage rose.

"Betty," said she again, "perhaps if you and I can get up and dress, it
may help Margery to try, and you know how much her mother wishes her to
do so, she so soon loses strength. And Mrs. Douglas is so good to you
and me! I wonder if we can take the salt-water baths that she thinks
help one so much on the sea. You remember how much pains she took as
soon as we came on board to get all our names on the bath-stewardess's
list for morning baths!"

"I believe I will try!" added she, after a long silence.

And when the broad-faced, smiling stewardess came to see if the young
ladies would like anything, Barbara gladdened her heart by saying she
would have her bath.

"Oh, Betty, Betty dear! you have no idea how nice it is! The ship is
quiet, the port is open in the bath-room, and it is just lovely to
breathe the fresh air. Do try it. I feel like a new girl!"

Before another hour had passed the girls said good-by to poor Margery
after having greatly encouraged her spirits, and climbed the stairs to
the deck, where they found Malcom just tucking his mother into her chair
after their breakfast and morning walk on the deck. Such a bright smile
as Mrs. Douglas gave them! It more than repaid for all the effort they
had made.

"You are just bricks!" cried Malcom, with a joyous look. "No more
seasickness! Now we will have jolly times, just so soon as Madge can
come up."

"Go down and persuade her, Malcom, after you have told the deck-steward
to bring some breakfast for these girls. I will help her dress, and you
can bring her up in your arms if she is too weak to walk."

Be